Abstract

Aim

Lean body mass (LBM) better than body surface area (BSA), predicts epirubicin's clearance and its toxicity in breast cancer patients (pts) (Prado et al, 2010). Since the dose-intensity of anthracycline-based chemotherapy may be critical in sarcoma pts, we studied whether sarcopenia was associated with the occurrence of acute severe toxicity (AT) in this population.

Methods

Sarcoma pts treated with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and having a CT scan at the 3rd lumbar vertebrae prior chemotherapy were selected. Skeletal muscle cross-sectional area were measured and sarcopenia was defined using standardized thresholds (Antoun et al, 2010.). Acute severe toxicity was defined as any grade 4 toxicity or febrile neutropenia (FN) or grade≥3 gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, according to the NCI-CTC occurring at 1st cycle. Sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic pts were compared (χ-2 test or Fischer's exact test for qualitative data).